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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Practice Piano

Ever found yourself practicing keyboard and the next thing you know you wonder off and start to play something you already know or am familiar with? You end up wasting an entire 15 minutes just playing around and not learning something new.

Well we all have been there, and sometimes I still do it. So how do you practice effectively? I have a few steps...

#1. Set a goal for the year

Set yourself a realistic goal for the year whether it be to learn new songs to play in church or in a band. You might even listen to songs and try to copy what the piano or keyboard player does. Or you want to know all major, minor and other scales by the end of the year in all 12 keys. Maybe you want to know certain progressions in all 12 keys.
The idea is to set some goal, so you have something to work towards and keep you motivated.

#2 Set time aside daily or every other day and try to stick to it.

We all have busy schedules between studying for exams, work and extra curricular activities. Keeping a schedule is helpful when one wants to progress with playing keyboard. It keeps you focused and more determined, because you have a goal. I would recommend practicing for at least an hour daily instead of practicing for 8 hrs straight once a week. It helps you to remember what you did the previous session much easier.

#3. Break up your sessions into parts

Always start of with fingering exercises for about 15 minutes (Hanon Exercises are very good).

Practice new chords and try them in all 12 keys

Practice chord progressions and try them in all 12 keys

Try to practice a song

#4. Keep a diary

Just so you don't repeat the same things over and over again, keep a diary or journal of your practice sessions. Sometimes you find yourself struggling with a certain progression or when you play a melody line. If you didn't manage to get it right, write it down. You can skip pass it and try it again the next time you practice. I would recommend you deal with those challenges in the same time slot or part within your session that you would have normally practiced it. Do not start with it when your sessions starts, otherwise you will not get to finger exercises or the rest.

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